Lu Lu

All Publications

• Electromagnetic (EM)-Driven Functional Materials. Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) Sim, J., Lu, L., Zhao, R. R. 2026: e21268

  Abstract

  Electromagnetic (EM) fields have been used in technologies such as communication, imaging, and energy transfer. In recent years, there has been growing interest in exploiting EM fields for the actuation of functional materials, enabling applications in soft robotics, biomedical devices, active metamaterials, and shape-morphing systems. These materials are often composites that incorporate EM-responsive components, granting them a remarkable versatility in responsiveness. Specifically, EM fields can induce actuation through static magnetic force and torque, Lorentz forces, or thermal effects via eddy currents and magnetic hysteresis losses. In addition, EM fields can be harnessed for sensing, wireless communication, and power transfer, extending their role far beyond actuation. The coexistence of such diverse mechanisms makes EM one of the most powerful and integrative external stimuli for multifunctional materials. This review provides the first holistic overview of EM-active material systems. We systematically organize recent progress in EM-based actuation, sensing, communication, and wireless power transfer, highlighting the fundamental principles, experimental demonstrations, and emerging design strategies. Approaches that integrate multiple EM-driven functionalities and the role of optimization and machine learning in advancing design and control are discussed. By consolidating these advances, this review establishes a roadmap for the development of next-generation EM-enabled intelligent materials and devices.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/adma.202521268

  View details for PubMedID 41498172

• 2D-to-3D transformation of ring origami via snap-folding instabilities JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICS AND PHYSICS OF SOLIDS Lu, L., Leanza, S., Ning, L., Zhao, R. 2026; 206

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106404

  View details for Web of Science ID 001612517800005

• Magnetic Milli-Spinner for Robotic Endovascular Surgery. Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) Wu, S., Chang, Y., Leanza, S., Sim, J., Lu, L., Li, Q., Stone, D., Zhao, R. R. 2025: e08180

  Abstract

  Navigating the complex and high-flow environment of human vasculature remains a major challenge for conventional endovascular tools and externally actuated tethered systems. While catheter-based approaches are the clinical standard, their limited steerability and force transmission hinder access to tortuous or distal vessels, especially in the brain. Untethered robotic systems have emerged as a promising alternative for enhanced flexibility and reachability. However, most designs struggle against the high, pulsatile blood flow in human arteries. Here, the study presents a magnetically actuated milli-spinner robot that overcomes existing limitations in navigating complex and high-flow vasculature. Capable of swimming at 23 cm·s-1 (73 body lengths per second), the milli-spinner enables rapid, stable navigation through complex vasculature. This performance is driven by its hollow cylindrical structure with integrated helical fins and slits, which together generate a spinning-induced flow field that enhances propulsion efficiency and allows the robot to maintain stability and control even in dynamic, pulsatile blood flow environments. In addition to its navigation capabilities, the milli-spinner enables multifunctional treatment, including localized suction and shear for efficient clot removal, targeted drug delivery, and in situ embolization for aneurysm treatment. These features establish the milli-spinner as a versatile and powerful platform for next-generation, untethered endovascular interventions.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/adma.202508180

  View details for PubMedID 40970841

• Buckling and post-buckling of cylindrical shells under combined torsional and axial loads EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MECHANICS A-SOLIDS Lu, L., Leanza, S., Liu, Y., Zhao, R. 2025; 112

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.euromechsol.2025.105653

  View details for Web of Science ID 001458649800001

• Selective Actuation Enabled Multifunctional Magneto-Mechanical Metamaterial for Programming Elastic Wave Propagation ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS Sim, J., Wu, S., Hwang, S., Lu, L., Zhao, R. 2024

  View details for DOI 10.1002/adfm.202422325

  View details for Web of Science ID 001376076500001

• Mechanics of magnetic-shape memory polymers JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICS AND PHYSICS OF SOLIDS Lu, L., Wu, S., Zhao, R. 2024; 190

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jmps.2024.105742

  View details for Web of Science ID 001362106400001

• Multistability of segmented rings by programming natural curvature. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Lu, L., Leanza, S., Dai, J., Hutchinson, J. W., Zhao, R. R. 2024; 121 (31): e2405744121

  Abstract

  Multistable structures have widespread applications in the design of deployable aerospace systems, mechanical metamaterials, flexible electronics, and multimodal soft robotics due to their capability of shape reconfiguration between multiple stable states. Recently, the snap-folding of rings, often in the form of circles or polygons, has shown the capability of inducing diverse stable configurations. The natural curvature of the rod segment (curvature in its stress-free state) plays an important role in the elastic stability of these rings, determining the number and form of their stable configurations during folding. Here, we develop a general theoretical framework for the elastic stability analysis of segmented rings (e.g., polygons) based on an energy variational approach. Combining this framework with finite element simulations, we map out all planar stable configurations of various segmented rings and determine the natural curvature ranges of their multistable states. The theoretical and numerical results are validated through experiments, which demonstrate that a segmented ring with a rectangular cross-section can show up to six distinct planar stable states. The results also reveal that, by rationally designing the segment number and natural curvature of the segmented ring, its one- or multiloop configuration can store more strain energy than a circular ring of the same total length. We envision that the proposed strategy for achieving multistability in the current work will aid in the design of multifunctional, reconfigurable, and deployable structures.

  View details for DOI 10.1073/pnas.2405744121

  View details for PubMedID 39047039

• Mechanics of hard-magnetic soft materials: A review MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Lu, L., Sim, J., Zhao, R. 2024; 189

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.mechmat.2023.104874

  View details for Web of Science ID 001132903000001

• Curved Ring Origami: Bistable Elastic Folding for Magic Pattern Reconfigurations JOURNAL OF APPLIED MECHANICS-TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASME Dai, J., Lu, L., Leanza, S., Hutchinson, J. W., Zhao, R. 2023; 90 (12)

  View details for DOI 10.1115/1.4062221

  View details for Web of Science ID 001104813800011

• Multiple equilibrium states of a curved-sided hexagram: Part I-stability of states JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICS AND PHYSICS OF SOLIDS Lu, L., Dai, J., Leanza, S., Zhao, R., Hutchinson, J. W. 2023; 180

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jmps.2023.105406

  View details for Web of Science ID 001062135700001

• Multiple equilibrium states of a curved-sided hexagram: Part II-Transitions between states JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICS AND PHYSICS OF SOLIDS Lu, L., Dai, J., Leanza, S., Hutchinson, J. W., Zhao, R. 2023; 180

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jmps.2023.105407

  View details for Web of Science ID 001065055000001

• Origami With Rotational Symmetry: A Review on Their Mechanics and Design APPLIED MECHANICS REVIEWS Lu, L., Leanza, S., Zhao, R. 2023; 75 (5)

  View details for DOI 10.1115/1.4056637

  View details for Web of Science ID 001084533300001

• Easy snap-folding of hexagonal ring origami by geometric modifications JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICS AND PHYSICS OF SOLIDS Lu, L., Leanza, S., Dai, J., Sun, X., Zhao, R. 2023; 171

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jmps.2022.105142

  View details for Web of Science ID 000892615200004

• Conical Kresling origami and its applications to curvature and energy programming PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY A-MATHEMATICAL PHYSICAL AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES Lu, L., Dang, X., Feng, F., Lv, P., Duan, H. 2022; 478 (2257)

  View details for DOI 10.1098/rspa.2021.0712

  View details for Web of Science ID 000741322000001

• Free vibration and dynamic stability of functionally graded composite microtubes reinforced with graphene platelets COMPOSITE STRUCTURES Lu, L., Wang, S., Li, M., Guo, X. 2021; 272

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.compstruct.2021.114231

  View details for Web of Science ID 000679385100009

• Size-dependent postbuckling analysis of graphene reinforced composite microtubes with geometrical imperfection INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES Lu, L., She, G., Guo, X. 2021; 199

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2021.106428

  View details for Web of Science ID 000649738600007

• Metamaterial Vibration of Tensioned Circular Few-Layer Graphene Sheets JOURNAL OF APPLIED MECHANICS-TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASME Lu, L., Ru, C. Q., Guo, X. 2020; 87 (6)

  View details for DOI 10.1115/1.4046698

  View details for Web of Science ID 000614425000009

• Vibration isolation of few-layer graphene sheets INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOLIDS AND STRUCTURES Lu, L., Ru, C. Q., Guo, X. 2020; 185: 78-88

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2019.08.029

  View details for Web of Science ID 000509819600007

• A nonlocal strain gradient shell model incorporating surface effects for vibration analysis of functionally graded cylindrical nanoshells APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND MECHANICS-ENGLISH EDITION Lu, L., Zhu, L., Guo, X., Zhao, J., Liu, G. 2019; 40 (12): 1695-1722

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s10483-019-2549-7

  View details for Web of Science ID 000499755900001

• A unified size-dependent plate model based on nonlocal strain gradient theory including surface effects APPLIED MATHEMATICAL MODELLING Lu, L., Guo, X., Zhao, J. 2019; 68: 583-602

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.apm.2018.11.023

  View details for Web of Science ID 000457669700031

• Small size effect on the wrinkling hierarchy in constrained monolayer graphene INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCE Zhao, J., Guo, X., Lu, L. 2018; 131: 19-25

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijengsci.2018.06.007

  View details for Web of Science ID 000444363600002

• On the mechanics of Kirchhoff and Mindlin plates incorporating surface energy INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCE Lu, L., Guo, X., Zhao, J. 2018; 124: 24-40

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijengsci.2017.11.020

  View details for Web of Science ID 000424171300003

• Negative effective mass of a filled carbon nanotube INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES Lu, L., Ru, C. Q., Guo, X. 2017; 134: 174-181

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2017.10.021

  View details for Web of Science ID 000418212200015

• Small-size effect on wrinkle and fracture of monolayer graphene subjected to in-plane shear NANOTECHNOLOGY Zhao, J., Guo, X., Lu, L. 2017; 28 (45): 455702

  Abstract

  Controlling surface patterns are useful in a wide range of applications including flexible electronics, biological templates, microelectromechanical systems and device fabrication. The present paper investigates the wrinkling and fracture of graphene subjected to in-plane shear. It is found that the size of a graphene sheet has significant effect on the wrinkle and fracture based on both molecular dynamics simulation and nonlocal plate theory. The analytical expressions for wrinkle amplitude and wavelength are deduced. The nonlocal parameter of nonlocal plate theory is evaluated. Furthermore, the higher aspect ratio has enhanced the wrinkle resistance and shear strength of graphene. Temperature and chirality have insignificant impact on the wrinkling, but significantly influence the fracture of the graphene sheet. This work is expected to provide a better understanding of the mechanism of nanometer scale wrinkles.

  View details for DOI 10.1088/1361-6528/aa8f6d

  View details for Web of Science ID 000413214500002

  View details for PubMedID 28952464

• A unified nonlocal strain gradient model for nanobeams and the importance of higher order terms INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCE Lu, L., Guo, X., Zhao, J. 2017; 119: 265-277

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijengsci.2017.06.024

  View details for Web of Science ID 000408286000019

• Size-dependent vibration analysis of nanobeams based on the nonlocal strain gradient theory INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCE Lu, L., Guo, X., Zhao, J. 2017; 116: 12-24

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijengsci.2017.03.006

  View details for Web of Science ID 000401387900002

• Controlled wrinkling analysis of thin films on gradient substrates APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND MECHANICS-ENGLISH EDITION Zhao, J., Guo, X., Lu, L. 2017; 38 (5): 617-624

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s10483-017-2199-9

  View details for Web of Science ID 000400542500001

• Vibration of a multilayer graphene sheet under layerwise tension forces INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES Lu, L., Ru, C. Q., Guo, X. M. 2017; 121: 157-163

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2017.01.007

  View details for Web of Science ID 000395216300014